Employees chase down alleged champagne thief

A 24-year-old Mount Prospect man has been charged with felony retail theft after more than $300 worth of champagne was stolen from an Arlington Heights grocery store.

Police say Robert T. Straus, of the 0-100 block of South Willie Street, was chased down Sunday morning by employees of Mariano’s Fresh Market, 802 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights.

Straus is accused of putting a bottle of Dom Perignon, worth $159.99, and two bottles of Moet champagne, worth $65.99 each, into a blue bag, then walking out of store through the emergency exit, according to a police press release.

After the store’s alarm sounded, employees chased him for about two blocks until Straus was arrested by Arlington Heights police officers at Recreation Park. No one was injured.

Police are investigating whether he could be connected to two other similar thefts last month, when champagne was stolen and the suspect escaped through the emergency exit.

With taxes, the merchandise was worth a total of $322.37. Straus is expected to appear in court on Nov. 5.